Best HDTV Programming
Since I ordered my HDTV I have been looking for the best HD programming deal I can find. I have talked to Dish Network, Comcast and DirectTV. I pretty much am looking at the most basic packages because that is channels I usually watch. Here is what I have found:
Dish Network HD Programming:
My monthly fee would be about $65 for the basic package with HD Programming. There would be a $199 install fee because they have to install a new dish and send me a new DVR. The DVR is dual tuner and can actually be wired to a second TV in another room. The second TV can only be standard def, but HD programming will be down converted to standard def if you try to watch HD stuff on the second TV. Lineup is 80 channels of standard def and 26 HD channels and local channels.
Comcast HD Programming:
Comcast is running “Ditch the Dish” which is a $400 credit that is spread out over $25 a month payments. The lowest package they have is the Digital Silver package at $73, but with the credit would be $48 until the $400 credit runs out. They have an HD DVR that costs $9.95 a month, it is dual tuner so two shows can record at once, but not dual TV. I could also get a cable modem for $33 a month for the first 6 months, and $45 a month after that.
DirectTV HD Programming:
DirectTV basic programming is 45.99 with an HD upsell of $9.95. There are no startup costs, but they don’t have an HD DVR in stock. But you can go on a waiting list on the website. The channel line up is 155 standard def and 7 HD channels, plus locals in High Def.
So in all of this it comes down to what you are looking for. I don’t lik the fact that cable tends to lure you in with low prices for 6 months, then up them. So long term it probably costs more money (and I don’t save the money on the broadband side). With DirectTV you seem to get more standard channels, but the HD offering seems to suffer. Also the waiting list for a DVR is not appealing. At this point unless I come up with something else, I think I will be sticking with Dish Network.
November 8th, 2006 at 10:19 am
I did the Comcast thing and recommend it highly.
We got the digital silver but will drop it back to the $50 package once the $25/month credit runs out. The dual-tuner DVR is good…it’s got some quirks, but overall it’s a good product.
We got the DVR for the living room and a basic non-DVR tuner for the bedroom. It works well for us.
Technically you would save on the internet side of things because instead of your piece of Bellsouth DSL, you’d get a 6MB cable connection, which is awesome in ways I can’t even begin to explain. And (if your wife would let you) you could lose the home phone, too.
Comcast has no contract requirements. You can cancel anytime. Dish (and I think DirectTV as well) requires a year commitment. Blah.
We’ve had great service from Comcast, and I haven’t regretted choosing Comcast for a minute.
November 16th, 2006 at 6:16 pm
Dish all the way…that’s what my parents have and they like it (but they aren’t into the HD stuff yet).